Leg and foot support



D c- 4, 1 62 GT. DERBY 3,066,322

LEG AND FOOT SUPPORT Filed March 8, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet l 79 I INVENTOR.

i 5 GEORGE T. DERBY 3a L4.

Dec. 4, 1962 G. T. DERBY LEG AND FOOT SUPPORT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledMarch 8, 1960 INVENTOR. GEORGE E DERBY United States Patent Ofificeiifihtifizz Patented Dec. 4, 1962 LEG AQJD George T. Eerhy, 4 367 LondonRoad, .lacltsonvilie 7, Fla.

Filed Mar. ii, 196%, Ser. No. 13,484 9 llaims. Cl. 5=-327l Thisinvention relates to a portable and collapsible leg and foot rest andmore particularly to an improved leg rest adapted for use by a person ina reclining position to elevate one or both legs and to which may beattached a foot support adapted to immobilize the patients foot in anyrequired position for beneficial therapy in cases of infantile paralysisor other disease or injury.

It is frequently necessary to rest the legs of a reclining convalescentperson in an elevated or inclined position. Heretofore, leg rests forthis purpose have involved complicated supporting structures forpermanent attachment to the bed, or have not been capable of separationand storing in a confined location. Further disadvantages of availableleg rests include: their inability to collapse for storage while not inuse, and their complexity of design and structure which renders themexpensive to manufacture. The conventional leg rests when provided afoot rest have been constructed to permit immobilization of the foot inlimited positions and therefore are not suitable for completetherapeutic treatment involving immobilization of the foot at unusualangles to the leg. This is particularly so in fracture cases and indiseases such as infantile paralysis which causes relaxation of theposterior leg muscles permitting the foot to fall without musclesupport. To overcome this effect, known as dorsiflexion, the patientsfoot must be held in a plane generally transverse to the axis of the legand tilted upwardly toward his head. Other diseases and injuries orconditions make it necessary to immobilize the foot at other angles.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide an improved legrest having a simplified construction and thus rendering it inexpensiveto manufacture, lessening its weight for increased portability and usein different places, and by making it readily collapsible for storage inlimited space when not in use.

It is an important object of the invention to provide a separate footrest which is readily attachable to a leg rest and adjustable by auniversal joint type of construction to turn in all directions and thusimmobilize the foot of the patient at any required angle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a leg rest so constructedas to permit selective adjustment and positioning of the leg supportthrough a Wide range of elevations and inclinations with respect to thebase of the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combined leg and footrest of skeletonized construction to lessen the Weight and cost whileincreasing the portability and having a detachable flexible covering tosupport the leg of the patient.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as to its organization and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbest be understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings,wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout theseveral figures and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a leg and foot rest constructed inaccordance with the present invention- FIG. 2 is a side elevation of theleg rest frame;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a modified constructiontaken substantially on line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the modified portionshown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 55 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged end elevation of the foot rest alone;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the foot rest, and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 83 of FIG. 6.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, FIG. 1 illustrates apreferred embodiment of the combined leg and foot rest which embodies aleg rest generally designated by the numeral 10 and a detachable footrest generally designated by the numeral 12. The leg rest it) comprisesa skeleton frame having an upper leg supporting section and a basesection adjustably supporting the upper section. The base section hasparallel side members l joined by at least one end member 2%. Preferablythese frame members are formed of standard tube sizes of a light weightmetal such as aluminum to reduce the weight of the leg rest to aminimum.

The upper leg supporting frame section is likewise formed in skeletonfashion of tubular members. Preferably this frame is formed of twosections spaced longitudinally and pivoted to each other in a manner tobe explained hereinafter. The uppermost section comprises parallel sidemembers 22 joined by an end member 24. The lowermost section comprisestubular side members 26 connected by pivots 25 with and formingextensions of the side members 22. The leg of the patient is adapted tobe supported on the upper frame section by a flexible fabric or othersheet material 14 which is detachably secured to the frame members 22,24, 2-6 by means of snaps 16 or other suitable fastenings.

The leg supporting upper frame section is angularly disposed to the basesection, the side members 18 of which are upturned at one end and thelower end of the upper section is pivotally attached to the upturnedends of the tubular base side members 18 by mean of inverted U-shapedclamps 23, FIGS. 1 and 2, which are secured by rivets 36) to the members26. The lower ends of clamps 238 embrace the ends of base members 18 andare pivoted thereto by rivets 32. Similar clamps 2d are aflixed byrivets Sill to the upper ends of the frame members 22 and by pivots 32to the upper ends of a pair of braces 34 connected by a cross brace 35.The lower ends of braces 34 are pivotally secured to sliding clamps 36,36' which embrace the side members 18. A similar pair of clamps 35, 36are utilized near the other ends of the side members 18, and arepivotally secured to the lower ends of a shorter pair of braces 38connected by a cross brace 39 whose upper ends are connected to theupper frame section at the pivot connection eitween the side members 22and 26.

As may be best seen in FIG. 5, preferably the clamps 36, 36 eachcomprise a tubular loop portion 44} having a slot 42 adapted to embraceone of the tubular base side members 18, and a pair of upwardly disposedears 4d, 44- and 45 having alignedopenings 48, 38 therein. Each pair ofclamps 36 are rigidly connected and may be simultaneously released,secured and moved to adjust the inclination of the leg rest sections bya single control. The inner cars 46 of each pair of clamps 36, 36 areconnected by a tube 50 the ends of which surround the openings 48 insaid ears. The opening 48 in the outside ear 44- of clamp 36' isenlarged and squared to snugly receive the squared internal shoulders 52of an elongated carriage bolt 54 whose head juxtaposes the outer surfaceof such ear. The bolt 54 extends through the tube 50 and its threadedend 56 projects beyond the outer ear 44 of clamp 36 and threadedlyreceives an adjusting hand wheel 58. The bolt 54 passes through opening69 in the flattened ends of braces 34 and 38 to pivotally supporteachbrace between the pair of ears of each clamp.

The upper ends of braces 33 are pivotally joined to the same pivots 25which secure the tubes 22 and 26 together. One means for accomplishingthis is to flatten the meeting ends of the tubes 22, as and 38 asindicated at 62, 64- and 66, respectively. A rivet 25 may then beloosely inserted through aligned openings in the flattened ends topivotally connect the three tubes. Another embodiment of this three-waypivot joint is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 and employs a yoke 68 ofcast aluminum or other suitable material which is welded to the end oftube 26 as indicated at '76. The tubes 22 and 38 are each provided withcast tongue members 72, 74 which are also welded to the ends of theirrespective tubes at 76 and 78. The tongues 72 and 74 are inserted in theyoke 68 and pivotally connected by the rivets 25 which pass through thetongues and the yoke.

The foot rest 12 which may be attached to the side members 22 of theinclined leg support is shown in detail in FIGS. 6-8. For purposes ofready attachment and detachment, the foot rest includes a pair ofoutwardly inclined C-clamps $6 having locking screws 82 threaded throughtheir lower branches and manipulatable by hand wings. The upper surfacesof clamps 8% are flattened to seat a pair of L-shaped brackets 86 eachhaving an arcuate slot 88 in its base. Threaded studs 84 extend upwardlyfrom the C-clamps 30 and pass through the slots 88 and the brackets 86are adjustably secured to the G-clamps 80 by wing nuts 9% on the studs84-.

The vertical arms of brackets 36 are also provided with arcuate slots92. A horizontally disposed U-shaped bracket 96 is tiltably secured toand between the brackets 86, the bracket 96 having side arms 10% each'ofwhich is secured to a bracket 86 by means of a pivot and stud 98 ridingin slot 92 and lockable therein by a wing nut The base or cross portionof bracket 96 is preferably provided with a coplanar upstandingsemicircular extension 162 having an arcuate slot 194. A foot plate 106is tiltably ahd :adjustably secured to the base of bracket 96 by meansof a pivot 168 and a releasable fastener 119 which rides within slot164.

It is evident from the described construction that the foot rest 12includes in its support structure three mutually perpendicular Walls orplanes comprising the two arms of the L-shaped brackets 86 and the baseof bracket 96. Each of these walls may be turned or tilted by reason ofthe arcuate slots and fasteners included therein. As a result, the plate106 to which the foot of a convalescent is secured by gauze bandage,adhesive tape, straps, or the like may be turned about each of threeperpendicular axes and fixed at any desired inclination.

in using a device constructed as described, the leg rest 10 may beutilized with or without a foot support 12. By merely loosening the twohand wheels 58 and sliding the clamps 36 toward each other along basetubes 18, the leg support members 22, 26 together with braces 34 and 38may be collapsed substantially onto the upper surface of the base tooccupy a minimum space for storage, as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 2.When it is desired to use the leg rest for a convalescent, lying in aprone position, it is necessary only to spread the clamps 36 on member18 until the desired inclinations of the leg support members 22 and 26are obtained and to fasten (the clamps 36 in such adjusted positions.Normally the articul-ated sections of the leg rest are positioned sothat the pivotal axis through rivets 25 falls just under the knee jointof the convalescent. When this is so, the lower leg may be supported byframe members 22 inclined either upwardly or downwardly with thepatients leg bent at the knee.

it will be readily apparent that upon manipulating the single hand wheel58 toward the bolt head, the clamp ears i=4, will be squeezed togetherand the slots 42 reduced to clamp members so and the pair of braces 34or 38 in a desired position. When the hand Wheel 5% is manipulated toloosen the grip, the clamp ears will spring apart enabling both clamps3d, 35 to be moved simultaneously along the frame tubes l8 and thusadjust both braces 34 or 1-38 to another position with respect to thebase.

The foot rest 12 may be attached by simply placing the C-clamps over theleg support sides 22 and fastening the screws The foot plate 1% may thenbe adjusted by tilting in any direction and fastened at the desiredangle by means of the wing nuts it, 9d and 11%. This may be done beforeor after the foot of the patient is taped to plate 1%. Since ti e basesof L-shaped clamps 86 rest on and are parallel to the plane of legsuports 22, the foot or" the atient may be tilted as by a universal typejoint at any angle, or about three perpendicular axes one of whichincludes or is parallel to his leg. Thus the foot plate may becomfortably adjusted to accommodate various persons ranging from thosewho are pigeon-teed to those who are slue-footed. if the circumstancesof fracture or disease warrant, the foot may be immobilized in aposition turned to the right or left, tilted backward or forward andtwisted inwardly or outwardly with respect to the leg.

The described and illustrated foot and leg rests are suitable for thesupport or" one leg of a patient. It is evident that by merely Wideningthe structure and adding a second foot plate with its own adjustablesupporting brackets, the device may be readily modified 'to support bothlegs of the patient.

Although certain specific embodiments of the invention have been shownand described, it is obvious that many modifications thereof arepossible. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted exceptinsofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of theappended claims. 1

What is claimed is:

1. A light, collapsible, leg rcst comprising a framelike base includingelongated side frame members, an elongated leg support including a pairof longitudinally disposed sections, first means pivotally connectingsaid leg support sections, second means pivotally connecting one endportion of the leg support to one end portion of said base, a first pairof braces, third means pivotally and adjustably connecting said bracesrespectively at one end to said base side frame members to slidetherealong to various fixed positions, the other ends of said bracesbeing pivotally connected to said leg support sections by said firstmeans, and a second pair of braces pivotally connected at their ends tosaid leg support at a position remote from said lllSi means, and fourthmeans pivotally and adjustably connecting t e other ends of said secondpair of braces respectively to said base side frame members to slidetherealong to selected positions and vary the height and inclination ofsaid leg support sections with respect to the base, at least one of saidthird and fourth means comprising a pair of clamps each having a loopportion and a pair of upstanding ears, the ends of the associated pairof braces being disposed respectively between the ears of each clamp, aspacer sleeve separating said pair of clamps, aligned openings in saidclamp ears and the ends of said associated pair of braces, a single tiemember passing through said aligned openings and spacer sleeve, andmanually operable means releasably engaging said tie member at one endonly to secure said pair of clamps and spacer sleeve together and lockthe loop portions of said-clamps to said base side frame members.

2. A leg rest according to claim 1 wherein said tie member comprises acarriage bolt headed at one end and threaded at the other withnoncircular shoulders adjacent said head and snugly received by theopening in the respective ear to prevent turning of said bolt, saidmanually operable means threadedly engaging the threaded end of saidbolt.

3. A leg rest according to claim 2 wherein said leg support sectionseach include side frame bars, and said first means pivotally connectingthe leg support sections and the first pair of braces comprises endportions of the side frame bars of one of said support sections formedinto yokes, the connected ends of said braces and of said side framebars of the other leg support section being flattened and received insaid yokcs, and pivots piercing said flattened ends and supported in thesides of said yokes.

4. A light, collapsible leg rest comprising a framelike base includingelongated side frame members, an elongated leg support including a pairof longitudinally disposed sections, first means pivotally connectingsaid leg support sections, second means pivotally connecting one endportion of the leg support to one end portion of said base, a first pairof braces, third means pivotally and adjustably connecting said bracesrespectively at one end to said base side frame members to slidetherealong to various fixed positions, the other ends of said bracesbeing pivotally connected to said leg support sections by said firstmeans, and a second pair of braces pivotally connected at their ends tosaid leg support at a position remote from said first means, and fourthmeans pivotally and adjustably connecting the other ends of said secondpair of braces respectively to said base side frame members to slidetherealong to selected positions and vary the height and inclination ofsaid leg support sections with respect to the base, said foot restcomprising a pair of clamps adapted to removably embrace said side framemembers of a leg support section, a pair of L-shaped brackets havingparallel arcuate slots in both walls, means for detachably andadjustably securing said brackets to said clamps engaged in one pair ofsaid slots, a U-shaped bracket connecting said pair of L-shapedbrackets, clamps securing the legs of said U-shaped bracket and engagedin the other pair of slots, a foot plate pivotally secured to the baseof said U-shaped bracket, said U-shaped bracket base having an arcuateslot, and means engaged in said base slot for adjustably clamping saidfoot plate in a selected position.

5. A foot rest comprising support means including a pair of C-clarnpmembers adapted to embrace supporting frame members, a pair of L-shapedbrackets each having arcuate slots in both their walls, retaining screwsrespectively extending from said C-clamp members through one pair ofsaid slots, a U-shaped bracket connecting said pair of L-shaped bracketsand having its legs respectively secured in the other of said pair ofslots, a foot plate for support of the sole of a foot pivotally securedto the base of said U-shaped bracket, said U-shaped bracket base havingan arcuate slot, and means in said base slot for adjustably clampingsaid foot plate in a selected position about its pivot.

6. An adjustable leg rest comprising a base formed of tubular members,an elongated leg support, means for adjustably securing said leg supportat various heights and inclinations with respect to the base andincluding a pair of spaced braces each pivotally secured at one end tothe leg support, and means embracing said tubular members for pivotallyand slidably connecting the other ends of said braces to said basewhereby to enable movement of the braces along the base without liftingfor adjustment in selected positions and with a minimum of jarring of apatients leg during said adjustment, said last named means includingmeans for unclamping, sliding t? and clamping both braces of said pairin unison by manipulation of a single operating element.

7. A light, collapsible leg rest comprising a framelike base includingelongated, tubular side frame members in a horizontal plane, anelongated framelike leg support including a pair of longitudinallydisposed sections each having side bars, flexible leg supporting meansremovably attached to said sections for supporting a patients leg, 3.first pair of brace bars, pivots freely connecting the adjoining ends ofthe leg support section side bars and one end of one brace bar on eachside of the leg support, pivots connecting the other end portions of theside up turned bars of one leg support section to the upturned ends ofsaid base frame members, clamp means embracing said tubular members andpivotally connected to the other ends of said braces and slidablelongitudinally on said tubular base frame members without lifting withrespect thereto for selective adjustment therealong to secure saidbraces at selected angles for supporting their connection to said legsupport sections at desired elevations from said base, a second pair ofbraces pivotally connected at their ends to said leg support at aposition remote from the connect-ion between said leg support sections,and clamp means embracing said tubular members and pivotally connectingthe other ends of said second pair of braces respectively to saidtubular base frame members to slide longitudinally therealong withoutlifting to selected positions, whereby the adjustment of said first andsecond pairs of braces to diiferent positions along the base framemembers varies the height and inclination of said leg support sectionswith respect to the base.

8. A leg rest according to claim 7 in combination with a foot restremovably attached thereto and turnable through selected angles aboutthree mutually perpendicular axes one of which coincides with theinclined axis of the leg support section to which the foot rest isattached, said foot rest comprising support means, a plate against whichthe sole of a foot may be fastened, means between said support means andsaid plate for adjusting said plate to a selected position by rotationin any direction and including separate plate supports having threemutually perpendicular surfaces, each of said surfaces being providedwith arcuate slots, and means for clamping the plate in said selectedposition and connecting said plate and supports adjustably andreleasably in said slots.

9. A foot rest comprising support means, a plate against which the soleof a foot may be fastened, means between said support means and saidplate for adjusting said plate to a selected position by rotation in anydirection and including separate plate supports having three mutuallyperpendicular surfaces, each of said surfaces being provided witharcuate slots, and means for clamping the plate in said selectedposition and connecting said plate and supports adjustably andreleasably in said slots.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS913,989 Simpson Mar. 2, 1909 1,018,757 Grady Feb. 27, 1912 1,466,746Ohlen Sept. 4, 1923 2,177,341 Demcak Oct. 24, 1939 2,456,277 Boyer Dec.14, 1948 2,581,110 Kenworthy Jan. 1, 1952 2,785,418 Goguen Mar. 19, 19572,836,833 Carlson June 3, 1958

